The gastrointestinal drug market is growing rapidly due to recent advancements in pharmaceutical products, advancements in drug delivery of medications and accurate diagnoses. Although the pharmaceutical industry as a whole has several potential blockbuster drugs in late-stage development, productivity has been lower than expected, particularly in light of higher outlays for research and development. It is troubling for the pharmaceutical industry that new drugs are coming to market in the U.S. at the slowest rate in a decade. This comes despite a three-fold increase in research spending (to $30 billion) and a major overhaul of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration?s (FDA) approval process.

Biotechnology products have had a significant impact on overall patient morbidity and mortality. There are several products on the market to treat various gastrointestinal disorders and diseases and many more in clinical trials. These prescription products are expected to greatly impact the market by pushing revenues higher and fueling demands for innovative treatments for gastrointestinal disorders.

This BCC study analyzes therapeutics currently on the market as well as potential products and classes of products that likely will have a significant impact on the future of both the prescription gastrointestinal drug and the over-the-counter gastrointestinal drug markets.

SCOPE OF STUDY

The report contains:

• An overview of gastrointestinal disorders in the U.S.
• An overview of the gastrointestinal system and brief explanations of disorders, citing risk factors, where applicable; also cites incidence and mortality
• Discusses current pharmaceutical treatments, market size and market participants in both the prescription and over-thecounter arenas
• Coverage of potential treatments now in R&D
• Analysis of market potential with forecasts to 2009
• A description of the industry in detail, its relationship to the healthcare industry, its participants and future trends.

METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES

The information and analysis presented in this BCC report are based on extensive first hand interviews with primary executives, product managers, and clinical specialists in the gastrointestinal pharmaceutical arena. Background information was obtained from various government agencies, business and medical journals, trade magazines, and interviews with doctors and nurses involved in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.

Key information from published literature was used to conduct interviews with over 45 industry participants to validate and obtain expert opinions on current and future trends in the gastrointestinal pharmaceutical industry. Interviews were the primary basis for development of market size. Interviews were also used to confirm and/or adjust market size and market share estimates, as well as formulating market projections.

All market data pertain to the U.S. market at the manufacturer's level. Data are expressed in current U.S. dollars. The base year was 2004. Historical data are provided for 2002 and 2003 and forecast data are provided for 2009. Historical, base year and forecast data are provided for each market segment and subsegment. Market shares are provided for each market segment for the 2004 base year.

ANALYST CREDENTIALS

Mary Anne Crandall is an expert industry analyst specializing in the pharmaceutical industry for the last 12 years. She has completed several in-depth studies on various medical topics requiring both medical expertise and excellent knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry. Ms. Crandall has a M.S. in psychology and is an RN/Instructor at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, OR. She is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in natural health.